Gujarat ACB traps Ahmedabad Chief Fire Officer in ₹36,000 bribe case
Synopsis
Gujarat's ACB caught a private middleman red-handed accepting ₹36,000 in bribes for fire NOC approvals across six Ahmedabad buildings — and a phone call made during the sting allegedly linked the city's own Chief Fire Officer to the demand, making this more than a routine intermediary bust.
Key Takeaways
The Gujarat ACB trapped private middleman Bhavsinh Zala , 31 , on 7 August while allegedly accepting ₹36,000 in bribes for fire NOC approvals in Ahmedabad .
The bribe was ₹6,000 per NOC across six buildings , submitted via the state government's online portal.
Amitkumar Dongre , 47 , Chief Fire Officer of Ahmedabad and a Class-I officer , was implicated after a phone call during the sting allegedly showed his consent.
The ACB alleges both accused abetted each other under the Prevention of Corruption Act .
The trap was conducted near Yash Equa Complex, Vijay Cross Roads, Memnagar , with two independent panch witnesses present.
Legal proceedings against both accused are underway, led by the Vadodara ACB Unit .
The Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday, 7 August caught a private middleman red-handed while allegedly accepting a ₹36,000 bribe to facilitate fire no-objection certificates (NOCs) for six buildings in Ahmedabad, and subsequently initiated legal proceedings against the city's Chief Fire Officer after a preliminary investigation found prima facie evidence linking him to the alleged demand.
How the Trap Was Set
The complainant, described by the ACB as a 'vigilant citizen', works as a Fire Safety Officer (FSO) providing fire safety services to buildings across Ahmedabad. He had submitted applications through the state government's online portal seeking fire NOC approvals for six buildings.
The second accused, Bhavsinh Zala, 31, a private individual, allegedly demanded ₹6,000 per NOC — totalling ₹36,000 — in exchange for securing those approvals. Rather than pay, the complainant approached the Vadodara City ACB Police Station and filed a formal complaint.
The Sting Operation
Based on the complaint, the ACB organised a trap on Friday near Yash Equa Complex at Vijay Cross Roads in the Memnagar area of Ahmedabad, conducted in the presence of two independent government panch witnesses. During the operation, Zala allegedly held a conversation about the bribe with the complainant before accepting the full ₹36,000, at which point he was caught red-handed by the ACB team.
Chief Fire Officer Implicated
The ACB's preliminary investigation also named Amitkumar Dongre, 47, the Chief Fire Officer of Ahmedabad and a Class-I officer, as the first accused. According to the bureau, Zala contacted Dongre by telephone during the operation, and the conversation allegedly indicated the officer's consent regarding the bribe amount.
The ACB stated that its findings suggest Zala demanded and accepted the bribe at the instance of Dongre, and that both accused abetted each other in the alleged commission of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Officers Who Led the Operation
'The trap was led by A.N. Prajapati, Police Inspector at the Vadodara City ACB Police Station, under the supervision of Assistant Director B.M. Patel of the Vadodara ACB Unit. Deputy Director of Vadodara Range, Baldev Desai, was the officer in charge of the operation. Legal proceedings against both accused are underway,' the ACB stated.
Broader Context
Fire NOC approvals in urban Gujarat have faced recurring allegations of corruption, with intermediaries reportedly acting as informal brokers between applicants and municipal fire departments. This case is notable for the direct telephonic link alleged between the middleman and a senior Class-I officer during an active sting — a detail that could strengthen prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Both accused are now in legal custody, and the case is expected to proceed to a chargesheet in the coming weeks.
Point of View
And that conversation is now the ACB's central piece of evidence. If the call records hold up in court, this becomes a direct corruption charge against a Class-I officer, not merely a peripheral bribery case. Fire NOC approvals sit at the intersection of public safety and municipal discretion, making corruption here especially consequential: buildings that skipped legitimate safety checks are a liability waiting to materialise. The Gujarat ACB's willingness to name a senior officer on prima facie evidence signals institutional confidence — but the prosecution will need more than a phone call to secure a conviction.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gujarat ACB fire NOC bribery case about?
The Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau trapped private middleman Bhavsinh Zala on 7 August while allegedly accepting ₹36,000 in bribes to facilitate fire NOC approvals for six buildings in Ahmedabad. The city's Chief Fire Officer, Amitkumar Dongre, was also implicated after a phone call during the sting allegedly showed his involvement.
Who is Amitkumar Dongre and why was he named?
Amitkumar Dongre, 47, is the Chief Fire Officer of Ahmedabad and a Class-I government officer. The ACB implicated him after its preliminary investigation found that Zala contacted Dongre by phone during the sting operation, and the conversation allegedly indicated his consent to the bribe amount.
How much bribe was allegedly demanded and for what?
A bribe of ₹6,000 per fire NOC was allegedly demanded for six buildings, totalling ₹36,000. The NOC applications had been submitted through the state government's online portal by a Fire Safety Officer acting as the complainant.
What law applies to both accused?
Both Bhavsinh Zala and Amitkumar Dongre face legal proceedings under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The ACB alleges they abetted each other in the commission of the offences.
Who conducted the ACB sting operation?
The trap was led by Police Inspector A.N. Prajapati of the Vadodara City ACB Police Station, supervised by Assistant Director B.M. Patel, with Deputy Director of Vadodara Range Baldev Desai as officer in charge.
